Cat Point Creek: Book a beginner-friendly ecotour on the Northern Neck with The Menokin Foundation. Float from its namesake 18th-century national historic landmark through secluded tidal marshes and the pristine Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge to Naylors Point. Menokin.org
Piscataway Creek: Rappahannock Adventures offers guided 4-mile trips down this tiny and magical waterway that start just outside of Tappahannock. The upper creek winds through dense coastal riparian forests then passes through remote and visually stunning Youngs Swamp to a public takeout near U.S. 17. RappAdventure.com
Warehouse Wetlands: Launch just minutes from downtown Gloucester’s Courthouse Historic District from the public boat ramp on Deacons Neck. Craven Expeditions leads trips up the northern branch of the scenic Ware River to expansive marshlands in Beaverdam Swamp. CravenExpeditions.com
Smith Island: Follow a Southeast Expeditions ecotour guide through mazelike salt marshes in the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge, then cross the Virginia Inside Passage to land on the uninhabited barrier island. Enjoy incredible birdwatching and swimming along more than 6.5 miles of wild beaches. SoutheastExpeditions.com
This article originally appeared in the August 2025 issue.
